The much anticipated opening race of the 2015 Virginia Army National Dirt Series season at Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway didn’t disappoint with a battle for the ages in the Victory Lap Late Models between Walker Arthur and defending champion Justin Williams. The two drivers raced side by side for much of the first sixteen laps with Williams taking the lead briefly on lap 17. Three laps later, Arthur would regain the lead that he would not relinquish and go on to take the win.

“What an unbelievable track we had tonight, I was able to take my car anywhere. When Justin (Williams) got past me, it showed me I had to drive my car a little harder,” commented Arthur in victory lane.

In other action Tyler Bare picked up the win in Aaron’s Pro Late Models with a pass on Bobby Thompson on lap 18. In the Budweiser Modifieds defending champion Matt Quade charged from his twelfth place stating position to take the lead on lap 7 and go on to the win. In the Truckin Thunder Sportsman Tommy Upshaw picked up the win and in the Collision One Limited Stocks Ryan Hutchens held off a stout field to take the victory.

On the drop of the green flag of the Victory Lap Late Model race Walker Arthur rocketed from his fourth place starting position to lead the first lap with Justin Williams in tow. Williams worked the outside of Arthur trying to take over the top spot. On lap 2 Williams pushed his car so hard it brushed the turn 2 wall causing major damage to his spoiler.

For several laps Williams worked to keep the car under him while also trying to keep Arthur from pulling away on someone else taking his spot. On lap 3 Williams would lose second briefly to Billy Tucker only to take the position back on the next circuit. Each lap Williams would lean on the cushion trying to get to the outside of Arthur. On lap 15 Williams finally got to the outside of Arthur coming out of turn 2 as the two raced side by side to the line. On the next lap Williams pulled off the pass out of turn two. That is when Arthur turned up the wick. Over the next three laps Arthur went to work and on lap 19 Arthur put a major league slide job on Williams out of turn 4 to take over the lead he would not relinquish.

Williams tried on several occasions to take back the lead but Arthur held on for the victory. Rounding out the top five were Justin Williams, Buck Roadcap, Billy Hubbard and Darryl Hills.

In the Aaron’s Pro Late Model 25 lap feature defending champion Bobby Thompson and Jared Powell led the field to green with Thompson leading the first lap with Powell in second. Behind him the action quickly went 3-wide for third. With everyone battling for second on back that allowed Thompson to pull away with a sizeable lead. On lap 87 Walker Arthur worked his way to second and looked like he might pull off another win but Thompson was up for the challenge.

Methodically working his way into second Tyler bare began to apply pressure to the leader on lap 15. On lap 17 bare got under Thompson in turn 2 and took over the lead. Once out front bare kept a comfortable distance on the field to score the win. Following bare to the checkers were Bobby Thompson, Walker Arthur, Jared Powell and Ricky Wells rounding out the top five.

In the Truckin Sportsman 17 lap feature James Bunn and Tommy Upshaw led the field to green with Upshaw grabbing the lead out of turn 2. Upshaw would give up the lead to Jeremiah Marshall on lap 5 and looked to be settling into second but on lap 14 Marshall would slow with mechanical issues handing the lead and the victory over to Upshaw.

In the Collision One Limited Stock Cars Chad Champion and Brian Bradley would lead the field to green with Champion grabbing the lead. On lap 3 Ryan Hutchens would take the top spot away from Champion with a pass out of turn 2. The top six drivers all stayed within striking distance of the lead. Hutchens fended off several challenges but was strong enough to take the victory over Chad Champion, Brian Bradley, David Bowler and Chris Maxey.

The speedway will take next Saturday April 25th off due to the NASCAR races at Richmond International Raceway and return to racing on Saturday May 2nd for Truckin Thunder Scout Night presented by the Virginia Army National Guard. The night will feature the 4th Annual Dirtwood Nationals Pinewood Derby and all Scouts in uniform will get in free. Scouts, fans and competitors are all encouraged to participate. Don’t have a pinewood derby? No problem you can rent one for $10 will all the proceeds going to help the charity ChildHelp. For details on the Dirtwood Nationals Pinwood Derby visit the track website or call (804) 758-1867.

The night will also feature the Aaron’s Pro Late Model and Budweiser Modified divisions in the very popular “Twin Race” format for the first time this year.

Competitor gates for Saturday May 2nd will open at 4pm with spectator gates opening at 5pm. On track activities will begin at 6:30pm with hot laps.

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway is a ½ mile dirt oval track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA in Jamaica, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.